An Easy Breakdown of Wax as a Raw Material
Wax is a heat–sensitive material made of hydrocarbons and fatty acids which are insoluble in water but can be dissolved in nonpolar solvents. In essence, wax is waterproof but melts relatively easily. This post offers an easy breakdown of wax as a raw material.
Some History
In use for over 5000 years, early versions of candles were crafted from natural materials. Egyptians used animal fat, the Chinese recycled whale fat, and native Alaskans employed fish for their tapers. Beeswax candles were first used in Europe during the Middle Ages.
Then came the industrial revolution and, as with many household products, biodegradable natural ingredients were replaced with byproducts of petroleum. By the 1850s, paraffin—a byproduct of oil production—was being used to make cheap candles. These paraffin candles remain the most common form available today. Don’t forget to read through our tips for the safest and healthiest use of candles.
Contemporary Applications
Modern day waxes come in many varieties and from varying sources: animal, plant and mineral (petroleum). They are used for all sorts of things, from making lip balm to preserving apples, from removing body hair to making candles, from shining car finishes to gripping surfboards, and even coloring and polishing furniture.
Common animal–based waxes include beeswax, lanolin, shellac, and spermaceti. There are many types of vegetable–based waxes produced from the fatty acids of plants, and the most common are soy, palm, coconut, candelilla, and carnauba. Petroleum–based wax, the most ubiquitous of the bunch, is called paraffin.
For those avoiding using animal products or supporting oil companies, choosing which waxes or brands of waxy products can be a daunting task. Not only do many come from questionable sources, but some have the reputation of being carcinogenic. Additionally, many products made of wax, such as scented candles, are mixed with toxic chemicals like synthetic dyes and fragrances.
If you are looking for commercial candles made from natural and sustainable materials, read our list of 5 great natural (soy & beeswax) candle brands for suggestions on alternatives to gel, paraffin and palm wax candle retailers. For a detailed breakdown of the pros, cons and properties of each type of wax, read our post 7 types of candle wax and when to use them.
Animal Waxes
For people striving for a plant–based lifestyle in order to protect animals, it’s important to be aware that some waxes come from animals.
- Beeswax is taken from honeycomb, and it is used in all sorts of stuff: lip balms, hair products, gummy candies, food wrap, crayons, soap and more.
- Lanolin comes from the glands of wool–bearing animals, and it is commonly used for rustproofing, lubricant, leather treatment and skin care products since it is highly emollient and viscous,.
- Shellac is a resinous substance secreted by female lac bugs (she lac, get it?), insects that live in the forests of India and Thailand. Shellac wax is distilled from this resin with alcohol and it is mostly used in polishes for wood and leather.
- Spermaceti, once mistaken for whale sperm (ew!), it actually comes from the brain cavity and fatty layer of sperm whales. It is commonly used in cosmetic products like lipstick and creams, and in candle–making.
Vegetable Waxes
Cheap paraffin candles have unhealthy side effects making other alternatives more popular. Candles with waxes made from natural resources (beeswax), “renewable” resources (sustainable palm oil or organic non–GMO soy) or sustainable resources (coconut oil), are generally the healthier and more environmentally friendly alternatives to paraffin. There are many types of vegetable waxes produced from the fatty acids (oil) of plants.
- Palm wax is sometimes equated with carnauba wax, which also comes from a palm tree, the two are not the same thing. Palm wax comes from trees that specifically produce palm oil. It is used in food, cosmetics and other consumer products. There is a growing awareness around the sustainability of palm wax as the cultivation of the raw material (palm trees) has caused major deforestation in their native Central and West Africa, but also in Indonesia and Malaysia.
- Carnauba wax comes from the Brazilian palm and is renowned for its hardness. It, too, is used in food, cosmetics and other consumer products. There is a growing awareness around sustainably harvesting carnauba wax, as overharvesting has had a negative ecological impact on the Amazon Rainforest.
- Candelilla wax is derived from a shrub that grows in northern Mexico and the Southwestern U.S. It is the ideal vegan substitute for beeswax, and it is used in cosmetics, polishes, adhesives, lubricants and more. Its name in Spanish means “little candle”.
- Soy waxes are inexpensive and are, of course, the product of soybean oil. They can be used for cosmetics, making candles, and a host of other consumer products. It is the most common alternative to paraffin. While the cultivation of soybeans worldwide as feed for cattle is a major cause of deforestation, in terms of sustainability organically grown, non–GMO soy wax is a better choice than paraffin.
Petroleum Waxes
Petroleum waxes are considered vegan, yet are especially harmful as they contribute to our reliance on the fossil fuel industry, and they come with the most serious health and environmental risks.
- Paraffin is a petroleum waste product that has to be deodorized and bleached with chemicals before it can be used as wax. This slurry of ingredients creates a toxic substance that releases benzene and toluene, recognized carcinogens, when burned. Paraffin is used in cosmetics, lubricants, candles, food preservatives (candy, sausage, fruit, chocolate, etc.) and more. People with allergies, particularly to aspirin, should be especially cautious around paraffin.
- Microcrystalline waxes more or less account for the other petroleum–based waxes. They have fine particles, a higher melting point, and are used mostly in laminate coatings and adhesives.
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Sources:
6 Types of Candle Wax and When to Use Them
https://www.thespruce.com/types-of-candle-wax-5323778
By Maria Sabella Updated on 11/05/22, Fact checked by Sarah Scott
Paraffin wax – Wikipedia
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Are Gel Candles Eco-Friendly? 10 Important Facts You Should Know
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written by Savanna Stanfield
Eco-Friendly Candles: 5 Natural, Non-Toxic & Safe Wax Candles
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BY EE EDITORIAL TEAM MARCH 5, 2022
Is Palm Wax Sustainable? 12 Facts You Should Know (+2 Alternatives)
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Are Gel Candles Eco-Friendly? Ethically Engineered
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Cruelty-Free and Eco-Friendly Wax Sources You Should Be Aware of
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By Jonathon Engels
The Problem with Palm Wax
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Pros & Cons of Coconut Wax Candles (+ The Best Non-Toxic Brands)
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Last Updated on September 12, 2022 by The Filtery Staff
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